Monday, May 13, 2013

Hermit Thrush

As this Hermit Thrush foraged in Lake Park, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, he kept a safe distance from me at all times.If I took a step forward, so would
he.If I took two steps, he would
take the equivalent in bird steps.He was maintaining a comfort zone and I was on the edge of it.

When I tried to cheat the difference, he flew to the other
side of the ravine.Lucky
for him, he found a wasp over there to eat. He never took an eye off of me
though.

The Hermit Thrush is a ground feeder…gleaning insects
and berries from the understory vegetation.It’s interesting how a spotted breast helps camouflage
him from his prey. Maybe spots mimic his sun-dappled surroundings. He evolved
into this pattern for a reason…maybe spots just work for him?

He would disappear in and out of the brush
occasionally…always alert to the dangers of being a bird in a tight spot. I’ve
photographed a Merlin in this ravine. A Merlin could take a thrush in a heartbeat.

What prompted him to leave when he did…I don’t know. He did find one wasp.Maybe that was enough for now.